Kenyan football giants Gor Mahia could be in hot water with FIFA after failing to refund Tanzanian club Singida Black Stars for a botched transfer involving right-back Ronney Onyango. If the issue is not resolved soon, Gor Mahia risk legal action and possible sanctions from world football’s governing body.
Background of the Dispute
In November 2024, Singida Black Stars expressed keen interest in acquiring Onyango’s services and officially approached Gor Mahia to negotiate a transfer. After discussions, the two clubs agreed on a transfer fee of USD 40,000 (approximately Ksh 5.17 million), which Singida duly paid on November 15, 2024.
However, despite receiving the payment, the deal collapsed due to Onyango reportedly refusing to move. This development meant the transfer could not be completed, leaving Singida out of pocket and seeking reimbursement of the funds they had already transferred to Gor Mahia.
Singida’s Demand for Refund
With the transfer failing to materialize, Singida Black Stars formally requested a refund from Gor Mahia at the beginning of January 2025. The Tanzanian club wrote to their Kenyan counterparts, urging them to return the USD 40,000 since the deal did not go through.
However, Gor Mahia have remained silent on the issue, neither responding to the refund request nor processing the payment. Their continued inaction has frustrated Singida, leading them to escalate the matter.
FIFA Ultimatum and Possible Sanctions
On January 30, 2025, Singida Black Stars issued a stern ultimatum to Gor Mahia, giving them 14 days to refund the money. Failure to comply, they warned, would result in them taking the matter to FIFA for arbitration and legal resolution.
“Our club wrote to your club on January 3, 2025, requesting a refund of USD 40,000 since the transfer did not go through due to your club’s fault. Unfortunately, we have not received a response or the refund to date,” read part of Singida’s official communication.
The Tanzanian side emphasized that they were left with no choice but to escalate the matter due to Gor Mahia’s lack of cooperation. Should FIFA intervene, Gor Mahia could face severe penalties, including fines and possible transfer bans.
Potential Repercussions for Gor Mahia
If FIFA rules against Gor Mahia, the club could suffer financially and administratively. They may be compelled to pay back the full amount with additional penalties or risk sanctions such as:
- A hefty fine for failing to honor a contractual agreement.
- A transfer embargo preventing them from signing new players.
- Further disciplinary measures, including points deduction in local leagues.
Such a ruling would significantly impact Gor Mahia’s football operations, particularly as they continue to compete for domestic and continental honors. The club’s failure to resolve the dispute amicably may also harm their reputation and standing in international football.
What Next for Gor Mahia?
As the 14-day deadline looms, pressure is mounting on Gor Mahia to act swiftly. With FIFA’s strict regulations on financial dealings, ignoring the matter could have dire consequences. So far, Gor Mahia have remained silent, but they may need to engage Singida Black Stars to negotiate a resolution before the matter escalates further.
The coming days will be crucial in determining the club’s next steps and whether they can avoid FIFA intervention. Football stakeholders and fans alike will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.
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